ISSN 2375-0707
African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management ISSN 2375-0707 Vol. 2 (1), pp. 177-180, January, 2014. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
An investigation of zinc uptake by maize plants after fertilization with soil and foliage
1Pedro Lima*, 1Adriana Gisele, 2Luiz Braga Ponte and 2Alberto Santos Chico
1Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.
2Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science, University of the State of Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.
*Corresponding author E-mail:[email protected].
Accepted 23 January, 2014
Abstract
Zinc is an essential micronutrient for the regular and healthy growth and reproduction of plants, animals and humans and it is obtained from daily dietary intakes Therefore, the deficiency of this nutrient is a consequence of its low concentration in food. In this sense, increasing the density and the bioavailability of Zn in edible parts of plants is fundamental to produce better crops. The objectives of the study were to investigate the zinc (Zn) uptake by maize plants after fertilization with Zn either via soil or via foliage. It was carried out a greenhouse pot experiment using a Typic Hapludox. Maize plants were harvested 100 days after seeding and Zn concentrations were determined in leaves and roots. The experimental design consisted of five doses of Zn applied via soil as well as via foliar, with three replications, totaling 30 experimental samples. Zinc was applied as zinc sulfate solution in the foliage at the third and fifth weeks after seeding. The zinc sulfate solution was applied to soil before seeding. The Zn concentrations in roots and shoots of plants were analyzed. The results were submitted to ANOVA and regression using the software SAS. Zinc concentrations in maize were increased at 5% of significance by F test by the application of Zn doses in soil and in the foliage. The application in soil was more effective than in the foliage.
Key words: Zn fertilization, Zn deficiency, Maize yield.